Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Please explain to me... (lemmy.wtf)

submitted 1 day ago by Wimster@lemmy.wtf to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Please explain to me. I moved away from Big Tech and installed - even on my old MacBook Pro 2015 - Linux Mint. I use open source software and my social media is on Fedivers. I tought I was "safe" by using Linux, but the Linux Foundation is sponsord by a lot of money by Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Google, etc... etc... the exact companies I try to take some distance off. Can somebody please explain me if Linux is "sold" to US Big Tech now?

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[–] Kalashnikov@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 day ago

The Linux foundation barely develops the Linux kernel anymore. Most of their money goes to side projects, some AI there, some crypto here.

Besides, Linux is just the kernel. The operating system is you run is in face, the GNU operating system with the Linux kernel under the hood. GNU tools and licenses are developed and maintained by the FSF, which is not, by any means, funded by big tech.

Because these big tech companies make hardware, their support is needed in maintaining the Linux kernel (which is ultimately, a software package that contains code that can interface with hardware).

Ultimately, you are running GNU. Linux is just a marriage of convenience. If Linux development starts being guided by Big Tech against the interests of the user, then it would be trivially easy to switch over to another kernel, or even a fork of Linux.